Qball

I have a 87 650SX that has been sitting for the last two years. I tried starting it today and found some bad stuff. The back cylinder is now a water fountain when you remove the plugs and run water through it. Some baby puke looking stuff came out of both cylinders for a while and now just the rear has water coming out. Is this a bad head gasket or what? The rest of the ski is in good condition. Is this worth fixing? Thanks Chris

no fear here

I will assume that you had it hooked up to a garden hose through a flush kit.

These units have a wet exhaust. The only time you should have the water turned on is once the motor is running. If it's not then the water in the exhaust will flow into the motor through the exhaust ports. I think this is your problem. Not a head gasket.

The first thing you need to do is pull the black knob located on the exhaust manifold. This has a cable attached to it and will actuate the crankcase drain. Turn the motor over with it open, spark plugs out, this will get the water out of the bottom end.

Remove the air cleaner and pour some 2-stroke oil into the carb and turn the motor over again, Crankcase drain still open.

Now some gasoline to dilute the oil, drain open.

Things should be ok. Close the crankcase drain. Turn the motor over. Open the crankcase drain. Close again. Install pugs and try to start.

Don't run the motor for more than 30 seconds. Always start the motor before turning on the water , and don't crank the hose on, just a trickle. Always turn the hose off before stopping the motor.

Hope this helps.

__________________
"Riding an '89' is a Splash from the past

Qball

Thanks for the reply. I do appreciate it. I have never worked on an engine like this before so its all a bit forgen to me. Im assuming that the baby puke looking stuff was just oil and water mixing. After posting I pulled the engine out and took the head off. It was filled with the baby puke type stuff. Should I contine to disassemble or just do a top end on it. I have the block portion of it loose but cant get one corner to free up so that I can remove it. There isnt any hidden bolts are there. I removed 8 of them. Thanks for all your help. Chris

mgendron4552

Dude... your basically hydrolocking your engine just remove the water quickly as the cylinders will rust fast on an 87....

you will know if you messed up a gasket and more likely than not it would be the base gasket

no fear here

Since you have already pulled the motor you might as well go into the bottom end as well. Provided that the crank was in good shape when it was last run it should still be good.

The problem that you are having to remove the cylinders is probably corrosion around the stud. Soak it with wd-40 and let it sit for a day. Try a little heat from a small plumbers torch. Work it slowly and it will come off.

The only thing I would do to the bottom end is to replace the crankshaft seals. The biggest problem with these motors is when they sit the seals dry out. They leak air and then create a lean situation. The bottom end bearing then goes and scatters the topend as well. I can send you pictures of this and it's not cheap to repair. For the cost of the seals it's well worth the investment.

On ebay you can get a full gasket set for $40 plus the seals for $35.

__________________
"Riding an '89' is a Splash from the past